1. To purchase the actual item at the restaurant (vs making it yourself) costs your child’s future tuition and your entire collection of Indiana Jones paraphernalia.

2. Often, the copycat version is better for you, and you feel it instantly… no gut bombs.

3. I can enjoy anycopycatrecipe in the comfort of my own home. And I don’t even need to wear pants.

One reason why copycat recipes can suck:

1. When they don’t actually taste like the original, you feel like shoving a pie in the face of the person who originally created the recipe. And by pie, I don’t mean the kind that is yummy. I mean the other kind… you know… made of animal… excrement.

Well, in this copycat recipe I literally cannot tell the difference between it and the Olive Garden original. It’s glorious. You avoid that one pesky negative to copycat recipes, and you can appreciate ALL the benefits. I would just recommend at least having some barrier between your hot soup and your… body… if you choose not to wear pants.

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Copycat

Ingredients

2large russet potatoessliced into fourths, lengthwise, and then in 1/4 inch slices

1medium white onionchopped

2garlic clovesminced

Salt and pepperto taste

1/2cupbacon bits {about 5-6 slices of cooked bacon}

2cupsfresh kale

1cupheavy whipping cream

Instructions

Brown sausage in a large skillet on medium heat. Strain and rinse fat. {You don't HAVE to rinse your sausage, but you'll get a greasy orange film if you don't. There's a little more flavor to it though, so it's your preference.}

Combine chicken broth and water in a large pot and stir. Add the sausage, potatoes, onion, and garlic. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are soft, about 10-15 minutes.

Add bacon, salt, and pepper and let simmer on medium-low for another ten minutes.

Turn to low heat and add kale and cream. Heat through completely and serve.

This is my favorite, go-to recipe for zuppa toscana and I share it with everyone!! It turns out delicious every time and I’m actually like it better than the OG! I’ve also used this same recipe, substituting cauliflower for the potatoes for a lower-carb option. Thanks for sharing such a great soup!

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[…] just like the ones you get at Olive Garden, but you can now make them at home! After posting Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup a few weeks ago, you might begin to think Zach and I have an Olive Garden addiction. And you […]